Garlic is traditionally planted in cold weather and harvest in summer ("plant on the shortest day, harvest on the longest"). Plant the cloves (separated from the bulb), point upwards, deep enough to just cover with soil. A fairly tough and easy-growing plant. On better soil with regular watering you will get a better crop. On poorer soil, and forgetting to water them, you will still get some garlic, only not quite so much.

Leave a garlic to go to seed, and you will probably get plenty of self-sown plants the following year.

To keep for later use, dig up and leave to dry out for a day or so after the green shoots die down. To use immediately, pull up a head when you need it, or cut and use the green shoots.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Garlic

Cut the growing shoots or use the entire young garlic plants as 'garlic greens' in stirfry.

Your comments and tips

Can someone please supply a set of rules for growing garlic. I've not grown it before. My garlic has just shot and is looking healthy but I don't know if I have to fertilize or not, nor do I know how much water to give it

Garlic has a long growing season. The old saying "Plant on the shortest day and dig on the longest day" is the easiest way to remember how long. If it is planted in good soil you won't need to fertilize it. In the hot months water regularly, it doesn't like long dry periods.

You might not be able to plant the garlic from the supermarket depending on where it has come from. Most imported stuff is sprayed with all sorts of toxins, and many are sprayed with various growth inhibitors. Try getting some Australian garlic, or even better some organic garlic. Otherwise, try diggers.com.au as they have garlic for sale online.

Garlic
I have grown purple Australian garlic over the past 4 years.
I plant the toes on 1 April and pull bulbs early October.This works for my climate. It is trial and error on the pulling up, as too soon they will not keep.
I have some bulbs if anyone wishes for me to send. Please email hobbfarm (at) yahoo dot com dot au

Hi,
I am just a beginner at this and will thank you for any assistance
In growing garlic. I believe the season for growing garlic is Apr -Jun
Or there thereabouts .
I will be grateful if you can send me some of your garlic bulbs.
Thanks. And regards. Richard
(Check under plant names for your zone. We do not supply seeds -Liz)

Hi there, I know it has been years since you posted about these garlic cloves. But I will try my luck anyway. I have been trying to grow garlics for the past few years but they all eventually rot here in Adelaide.
I can give you my address or send to you a prepaid envelope; and I am willing to pay to cover your costs too. Thanks so much!

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